Tightening of Work Pass Requirements(2020)
As part of periodic updating, The Government’s criteria for approving work passes have been regularly updated to enable businesses to grow as well as to support employment opportunities for locals. Since the most recent round of adjustments announced in Budget 2020, the Government has been closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global and domestic economic conditions, to assess if further updates are necessary.
From 1 September 2020
The salary EP requirement will be raised further to $4,500 for all new applicants. The qualifying salaries for older and more experienced EP candidates in their 40s will be raised correspondingly and will remain around double the minimum qualifying salary for the youngest applicants. For renewal applicants, these new salary criteria will come into effect from 1 May 2021.
Higher Salary Requirements in Financial Services sector
The new salary criteria for EPs that take effect from 1 September 2020 will equally apply to the Financial Services sector. However, from 1 December 2020, the minimum qualifying salary for EPs in the Financial Services sector will be further raised to $5,000 for new applicants. Similarly, the qualifying salaries for older and more experienced EP candidates in the Financial Services sector will be raised, with those in their 40s needing to meet around double the minimum qualifying salary for the youngest applicants. For renewal applicants, these new salary criteria will come into effect from 1 May 2021.
S Pass Salary Requirements also raised, no changes to levies and quota
The S Pass minimum qualifying salary was raised from $2,200 to $2,300 from 1 January 2019 and to $2,400 from 1 January 2020. The S Pass minimum qualifying salary will be further raised from $2,400 to $2,500, with qualifying salaries for older and more experienced S Pass candidates revised accordingly. The changes to S Pass qualifying salaries will apply to new applicants from 1 October 2020, and to renewal applicants from 1 May 2021.There will be no further changes to levies and quotas in this round of adjustments.
Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)
1.Extend the FCF Job Advertising Requirement to S Pass Applications from 1 October 2020.
2.Minimum FCF Job Advertising Duration for EP and S Pass Applications will be Doubled to 28 Days from 1 October 2020.
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